Portable vs. standby generators, sizing basics, and what to know about transfer switches before your next outage.
Power outages are simply part of life in rural and coastal Guanacaste, especially during rainy season storms. Whether you're in Tamarindo, Nosara, or further inland near Liberia, having a backup power plan means the difference between a minor inconvenience and spoiled food, lost bookings, or a sweltering night without AC.
Portable generators are the most affordable option and work well for covering essentials — refrigeration, a few lights, fans, and charging devices. They require manual setup during an outage and need to be run outdoors due to exhaust fumes. For weekend homes or smaller properties in Flamingo or Potrero, a portable unit is often sufficient.
Standby generators are permanently installed, run on propane or diesel, and switch on automatically within seconds of an outage. They can power an entire home, including AC units — a major advantage for vacation rentals in Playa del Coco or Sámara where guests expect uninterrupted comfort. The tradeoff is higher upfront cost and a proper installation requiring a licensed electrician.
Undersizing is the most common mistake we see. A generator needs to handle the surge load of starting an AC compressor or well pump, not just its running wattage. We calculate your home's actual demand — including all essential circuits — before recommending a generator size, whether your property is in Nicoya, Santa Cruz, or along the coast.
A transfer switch isolates your home's circuits from the grid when the generator is running, preventing dangerous backfeed into utility lines — a serious hazard to utility workers repairing the outage. Running a generator without a proper transfer switch is not just unsafe, it can also damage your generator and home wiring. This is a job for a licensed electrician, not a DIY wiring job.
A generator that hasn't been tested in months often fails right when you need it most. We recommend a seasonal test-run before rainy season begins for any property in Guanacaste, whether occupied year-round or managed remotely from Tamarindo to Potrero.